Artwork: Teen Titans Go by Sergio-Quijada
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wish List Wednesday: The Painted Girls and A Week in Winter
There seems to be a lot of really good books out at the moment. I love that there's such a wide variety of interesting books. That's why I'm always surprised whenever someone says they can't find anything to read.
Book: The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Book Description:
A gripping novel set in Belle Époque Paris and inspired by the real-life model for Degas’s Little Dancer Aged Fourteen and a notorious criminal trial of the era.
Paris. 1878. Following their father’s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventy francs a month, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work—and the love of a dangerous
young man—as an extra in a stage adaptation of Émile Zola’s naturalist masterpiece L’Assommoir.
Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modelling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her
image will forever be immortalized as Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Antoinette, meanwhile, descends
lower and lower in society, and must make the choice between a life of honest labor and the more profitable avenues open to a young woman of the Parisian demimonde—that is, unless her love affair derails her completely.
Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural, and societal change, The Painted Girls is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of “civilized society.”
Book: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Book Description:
Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another.
When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy.
Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions.
Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling.
Book: The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Book Description:
A gripping novel set in Belle Époque Paris and inspired by the real-life model for Degas’s Little Dancer Aged Fourteen and a notorious criminal trial of the era.
Paris. 1878. Following their father’s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventy francs a month, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work—and the love of a dangerous
young man—as an extra in a stage adaptation of Émile Zola’s naturalist masterpiece L’Assommoir.
Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modelling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her
image will forever be immortalized as Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Antoinette, meanwhile, descends
lower and lower in society, and must make the choice between a life of honest labor and the more profitable avenues open to a young woman of the Parisian demimonde—that is, unless her love affair derails her completely.
Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural, and societal change, The Painted Girls is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of “civilized society.”
Book: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Book Description:
Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another.
When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy.
Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions.
Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Barnes & Noble to Close Stores
I guess with so many people using e-readers, there are fewer people actually going into the stores. I find it interesting that Barnes & Noble has better prices on their website than they actually have in the stores. If they want to get people in the stores the executives need to figure out a way to offer better prices in the store. There needs to be an incentive to get customers through the door.
I posted the Huffington Post article below if you haven't already heard the news.
Barnes & Noble Closures: 100s of Stores to go According to Top Executive (Huffington Post)
Barnes & Noble's top store executive Mitchell Klipper has told the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) that the company plans the closure of at least 20 stores a year for the next decade.
Since 2003, the company has shut an average of 15 stores a year - but it also opened more than 30 per year, according to the Journal. During the last fiscal year, however, the company closed 14 stores and didn't open any. This year, a prominent Manhattan store has already shut its doors.
Without any new openings, that rate of closure would reduce the total number of Barnes & Noble's stores by a third - it currently has 689 retail stores, and 674 college stores. Their first store opened in New York City in 1917, and since the closing of Borders in 2011, it is by far the nation's largest book retailer chain.
Store revenue over the recent holiday period was down 11% on the previous year, however the company still made $317 million in earnings last year, more than enough, according to Klipper, to offset losses from the Nook ereader section of the company, which spends heavily on advertising and new technology.
Almost exactly a year ago, the WSJ ran an article questioning if the Nook part of the business was to be split off into its own company, though so far this hasn't occurred, and in April 2012, Microsoft invested $300 million in a new Nook subsidiary.
Print book sales nationwide dropped 22% over the past five years according to Nielsen BookScan, as ebooks and other digital devices have become more popular. Where that leaves the retail side of Barnes & Noble's business in the medium term is unclear.
According to the Journal,
I posted the Huffington Post article below if you haven't already heard the news.
Barnes & Noble Closures: 100s of Stores to go According to Top Executive (Huffington Post)
Barnes & Noble's top store executive Mitchell Klipper has told the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) that the company plans the closure of at least 20 stores a year for the next decade.
Since 2003, the company has shut an average of 15 stores a year - but it also opened more than 30 per year, according to the Journal. During the last fiscal year, however, the company closed 14 stores and didn't open any. This year, a prominent Manhattan store has already shut its doors.
Without any new openings, that rate of closure would reduce the total number of Barnes & Noble's stores by a third - it currently has 689 retail stores, and 674 college stores. Their first store opened in New York City in 1917, and since the closing of Borders in 2011, it is by far the nation's largest book retailer chain.
Store revenue over the recent holiday period was down 11% on the previous year, however the company still made $317 million in earnings last year, more than enough, according to Klipper, to offset losses from the Nook ereader section of the company, which spends heavily on advertising and new technology.
Almost exactly a year ago, the WSJ ran an article questioning if the Nook part of the business was to be split off into its own company, though so far this hasn't occurred, and in April 2012, Microsoft invested $300 million in a new Nook subsidiary.
Print book sales nationwide dropped 22% over the past five years according to Nielsen BookScan, as ebooks and other digital devices have become more popular. Where that leaves the retail side of Barnes & Noble's business in the medium term is unclear.
According to the Journal,
"Barnes & Noble has 442 leases up for renewal by April 30, 2016, representing substantially more than half of its stores. Mr. Klipper said he expects many will be renewed: "Why close them if they are making money?""Article Update: In reaction to the Wall Street Journal article, Barnes & Noble told Publishers Weekly that it is “fully committed to the retail concept for the long term.”
Currently Reading: Through The Looking Glass
I really enjoyed reading Alice's Adventure in Wonderland and I couldn't wait to read Through The Looking Glass. There is just something about these whimsical books.
Book: Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol
Description:
The famous sequel to Alice in Wonderland. Alice finds herself yet again in a topsy-turvy world full of fascinating and funny characters, moving her way around a chess board world to try and get back home. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Book Review: Batman: Dead White
Book: Batman: Dead White (Batman book #1) by John Shirley
Description:
Who better than Batman to protect the dangerous city of Gotham, where even the cops are crooks? But the latest imminent terror might be too much for the burgeoning Caped Crusader, who is still carving out a place for himself in the minds of Gotham’s criminals.
There’s a host of deadly new weapons in Batman’s glittering, sinister city–in the hands of a psychotic mastermind called White Eyes. With his radical murder machine, the fiendish leader of Gotham’s racist Bavarian Brotherhood can move beyond dealing drugs and hot guns to pursue his real passion: the white supremacist takeover of America.
The homegrown terrorists’ first strike–at the heart of our nation’s capitol–is only weeks away. But first they’ll test out their killer toys on Batman, who is hot on the trail of White Eyes and his brutal militia. Ounce for ounce, muscle for muscle, Batman’s no match for the cunning villain and his wicked new firepower. At least, that’s how White Eyes sees it.
Batman has other ideas . . .
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
My Review:
This was one intense book but it was very good. However, I wouldn't recommend it for young Batman fans due to the language, violence and story. I thought this was a very interesting book, full of action but also very well written. The characters whether good or bad were fleshed out to be more than two dimensional.
Since this book takes place with a younger - still getting used to being a hero - Batman. I thought I would be reading about a boring and incompetent Nolan version but instead this Batman was smart, resourceful and full of life, like you would expect from Gotham's superhero. Alfred was also used rather well in the story.
There was also a very interesting secondary story with Gotham Detective Cormac Sullivan and his son Gary and I was very happy their story had a happy ending. Also, another character Beth who had been through so much in this story that it was nice that she also had a happy ending.
This is Batman at his best. I'm glad I read this.
Art of the Day: Ben 10: Alien Force
Artwork: Ben 10 by kitsune999
I like how the artist used different background colors for each character. I wonder if it was done to reflect each character because Gwen's magic is pink, Ben is always surrounded by green and Kevin always seems blue (he's rarely shown with a smile).
The Ben 10 series is one of my favorite cartoon series. It's a funny action series.
New Book Purchase: Wicked Business
I'm nearly finished reading Batman, I'll post my review a little later today.
I found this in the book aisle at Target over the weekend. This is the second book in the series, I haven't read the first. Hopefully, it's written so I don't necessary had to have read the first book. If this is good, I'll try to buy the first book as well.
Book: Wicked Business (Lizzy and Diesel Book #2) by Janet Evanovich
Book Description:
Lizzy Tucker's once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts, turns upside down as she battles both sinister forces and an inconvenient attraction to her unnaturally talented but off-limits partner, Diesel.
When Harvard University English professor and dyed-in-the-wool romantic Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered and thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel take up his twenty-year quest for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed by some to be infused with the power of lust. Following clues contained in a cryptic nineteenth-century book of sonnets, Lizzy and Diesel tear through Boston catacombs, government buildings, and multimillion-dollar residences. On their way they'll leave behind a trail of robbed graves, public disturbances, and general mayhem.
Treasures will be sought and the power of lust will be unmistakable as Lizzy and Diesel attempt to stay ahead of Diesel's black sheep cousin Gerwulf, his medieval minion, Hatchet, and a dark devotee of chaos known only as Anarchy - All involved in an ancient game of twisted riddles and high-stakes hide-and-seek.
I found this in the book aisle at Target over the weekend. This is the second book in the series, I haven't read the first. Hopefully, it's written so I don't necessary had to have read the first book. If this is good, I'll try to buy the first book as well.
Book: Wicked Business (Lizzy and Diesel Book #2) by Janet Evanovich
Book Description:
Lizzy Tucker's once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts, turns upside down as she battles both sinister forces and an inconvenient attraction to her unnaturally talented but off-limits partner, Diesel.
When Harvard University English professor and dyed-in-the-wool romantic Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered and thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel take up his twenty-year quest for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed by some to be infused with the power of lust. Following clues contained in a cryptic nineteenth-century book of sonnets, Lizzy and Diesel tear through Boston catacombs, government buildings, and multimillion-dollar residences. On their way they'll leave behind a trail of robbed graves, public disturbances, and general mayhem.
Treasures will be sought and the power of lust will be unmistakable as Lizzy and Diesel attempt to stay ahead of Diesel's black sheep cousin Gerwulf, his medieval minion, Hatchet, and a dark devotee of chaos known only as Anarchy - All involved in an ancient game of twisted riddles and high-stakes hide-and-seek.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Why is Wonder Woman So Dumbed Down in the New 52 Justice League?
Illustration: New 52 Justice League issue #15
by Book Girl
It's sad how Wonder Woman has been treated in the new 52 Justice League. Her only purpose seems to be filling the female quota and being Superman's girlfriend. From the first issue to issue 15 (I haven't read #16 yet), someone always seem to be teaching Diana how to do something. Why does Wonder Woman need so much guidance? Did she really need Clark to tell her about humanity (seeing as though he doesn't seem to understand or care about it himself) as well as teach her how to have a secret identity (really, that's so pathetic).
That brings to mind, when I was at the comic book store a few days ago. There was a girl and a guy, who both looked liked high school students looking over the comics. The girl was holding up an issue of the new 52 JL in one hand and had few pre-52 issues of Wonder Woman in the other. I was going through my checklist making sure I had all my comics when I heard the girl say "WW is such a stupid ass in JL" and put the comic back on the shelf. She was really annoyed and upset over how Wonder Woman is portrayed. I completely agree with her comment.
Wondie's crap portrayal is another reason Justice League is teetering on my pull list. I have really been thinking about just dropping it. Diana's intelligence doesn't seem to be showing through and she lacks any real personality. She appears to be suffering from lazy writing and poor character development unless that's how they see women over at DC Comics. Is she Penny from the Big Bang Theory or Wonder Woman? Actually, that's an insult to Penny, at least she has a personality, is smart in her own way and does more than just fill the female quota.
This Diana might be powerful but she lacks all the other attributes that made her special.
Book of Interest: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I had read the description and a few of the pages of this while I was at the store. It's not a really big book at all but I found what I read to be honestly good. The movie will be out on dvd sometime next month, but I would like to have read it before seeing the movie.
Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Book Description:
Charlie is a freshman.
And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his year yet socially awkward,he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.
Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Art of the Day: Lois Lane
Artwork: Lois Lane by Tsbranch
"That's what I'm gonna be, Mr. White. The best darn reporter this paper ever had." ~ Lois Lane
On My Reading List: 1st To Die
My mother gave me 1st To Die (as a little gift) because she knows I love to read mysteries. I haven't quite gotten around to reading it yet but it's definitely on my reading list for this year.
Book: 1st To Die by James Patterson
Book Description:
In San Francisco newlyweds are being stalked - and slaughtered. Enter four unforgettable women, all friends...Lindsay, a homicide inspector in the city's police department...Claire, a medical examiner...Jill, an assistant D.A....and Cindy, a reporter who has just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle. Joining forces, pooling their talents, courage, and brains, they have one goal: to find, trap and outwit the most diabolical and terrifying killer ever imagined.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Favorite Fictional Bookworm: Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Artwork: Belle by Serena-Kenobi
Belle's love of reading and love of books makes her a true bookworm. Instead of being like all the other village people, Belle enjoyed spending time reading. She wanted more out of her life beside living in a small town.
I love the scene where the Beast showed Belle the manor library. It was completely filled with books and for a book lover that's a dream come true. It was magnificent.
Wish List Wednesday: The Casual Vacancy
Sorry to have been away for awhile, I've been dealing with a little bit of a cold. I feel much better now.
I thought it was brave of J.K. Rowling to have written a book outside of the Harry Potter series. She could have just sat back and never wrote another thing again. Despite the mixed reviews The Casual Vacancy has recieved, I would like to read this. From the excerpt I read on Amazon.com, I was surprised, it seemed really interesting and sort of had a mystery feel to it. Although, I don't believe it's a mystery book at all.
Book Description:
A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...
When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
I thought it was brave of J.K. Rowling to have written a book outside of the Harry Potter series. She could have just sat back and never wrote another thing again. Despite the mixed reviews The Casual Vacancy has recieved, I would like to read this. From the excerpt I read on Amazon.com, I was surprised, it seemed really interesting and sort of had a mystery feel to it. Although, I don't believe it's a mystery book at all.
Book Description:
A BIG NOVEL ABOUT A SMALL TOWN ...
When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Currently Reading: Batman: Dead White
I had started reading this a few days ago but I wanted to finish up Kitchen Princess so I could take my time reading it.
Book: Batman: Dead White (Batman book #1) by John Shirley
Description:
Who better than Batman to protect the dangerous city of Gotham, where even the cops are crooks? But the latest imminent terror might be too much for the burgeoning Caped Crusader, who is still carving out a place for himself in the minds of Gotham’s criminals.
There’s a host of deadly new weapons in Batman’s glittering, sinister city–in the hands of a psychotic mastermind called White Eyes. With his radical murder machine, the fiendish leader of Gotham’s racist Bavarian Brotherhood can move beyond dealing drugs and hot guns to pursue his real passion: the white supremacist takeover of America.
The homegrown terrorists’ first strike–at the heart of our nation’s capitol–is only weeks away. But first they’ll test out their killer toys on Batman, who is hot on the trail of White Eyes and his brutal militia. Ounce for ounce, muscle for muscle, Batman’s no match for the cunning villain and his wicked new firepower. At least, that’s how White Eyes sees it.
Batman has other ideas . . .
Art of the Day: Harry Potter: Seamus Finnigan
Artwork: Boom by CrownCat
Seamus Finnigan was always blowing something up. It's a wonder his friends like Dean Thomas (on the right), weren't afraid to be around him without fear that he might accidentally wound them.
Book Review: Kitchen Princess Volume #3 (Manga)
Book: Kitchen Princess volume #3 by Natumi Ando
Description:
Najika's life just gets more and more difficult. The diner where she works may close, her jealous classmate is trying to drive her out of school, and now she has to return home to care for her ill guardian. Will Najika go back to her beloved Seika Academy or just stay home forever?
Rating: 4 stars
My Review:
This is a very heartfelt series. Najika has to be one of the nicest people around and you would think she wouldn't have any problems with the kids at school. In the third volume, the kids at school for the most part have started to be nice to Najika. All except the most popular girl Arkane's two minion friends that is.
Since, Arkane was no longer bullying Najika, her two friends decided they would deal with Najika instead. One of the girls tried to get her father, a member of the board for the academy to use his influence to have the student restaurant where Najika works closed down. With surprising advice from Arkane, Najika decided to fight back to save the restaurant from closing.
Another story line in this five chapter volume had Najika going back home to the orphanage because the care taker had become sick. Along for the trip were her friends, brothers Daichi and Sora. I like this story because not only were they there to help her former care giver but also a little boy who recently arrived at the orphanage.
The third volume ends on a cliff hanger with the story line that has Arkane starting to become jealous of Najika and doing something that's sure to cause problems in the next volume. Which I'll be looking forward to reading.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Art of the Day: Lois and Clark
Artwork: Clark and Lois by didism
That must have been some kiss. To leave Clark Kent with thoughts of nothing but Lois Lane. I love the old school style the artist went with for this piece.
Illustration of the Day: Wally West and Linda Park
Illustration: The Flash issue #130
That's so sweet of Wally to take Linda on a trip to a place she's always wanted to visit.
New Book Purchase: Confessions of a Murder Suspect
I bought Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro over the weekend. I saw so many books that I wanted to buy (can't buy them all but I wish) however I decided to go with this one. After I read the first three chapters at the store I was hooked and knew I had to buy it. But since I'm already reading Kitchen Princess and sort of started on another book. I'll wait to start on this.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Currently Reading: Kitchen Princess Volume 3 (Manga)
I just love this series and as a foodie, I love that recipes are included in each volume.
Book: Kitchen Princess volume 3 by Natumi Ando
Description:
Najika's life just gets more and more difficult. The diner where she works may close, her jealous classmate is trying to drive her out of school, and now she has to return home to care for her ill guardian. Will Najika go back to her beloved Seika Academy or just stay home forever?
Art of the Day: Draco Malfoy
Artwork: Draco's Torment by Dhesia
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (book and movie) you got to see Draco as more than just an annoying jerk. Voldemort had placed a tough task upon Draco that showed how his life and probably his family's as well was riding on his completing that horrible mission.
I think this artwork is just amazing because it shows just how troubled Draco was throughout his sixth year at Hogwarts.
Book Review: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Book: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book #1) by Lewis Carroll
Description:
Journey with Alice down the rabbit hole into a world of wonder where oddities, logic and wordplay rule supreme. Encounter characters like the grinning Cheshire Cat who can vanish into thin air, the cryptic Mad Hatter who speaks in riddles and the harrowing Queen of Hearts obsessed with the phrase "Off with their heads!" This is a land where rules have no boundaries, eating mushrooms will make you grow or shrink, croquet is played with flamingos and hedgehogs, and exorbitant trials are held for the theft of tarts. Amidst these absurdities, Alice will have to find her own way home. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland began as a story told to three little girls in a rowboat, near Oxford.
Rating: 4 stars (Truly Wonderful)
My Review:
This is one zany crazy book where any and everything could possible happen. Alice finds herself in various situations where she is often misunderstood or just simple too zany for her to get a clear meaning to. Poor girl.
I found "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" to be a fun and fast paced story. I thought this was a wonderful little book and I can't wait to read the second part "Through the Looking Glass".
Friday, January 4, 2013
Art of the Day: Avatar: Zuko and Mai
These two are just so adorable together. They're annoyed with everything and probably everyone, except each other.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Art of the Day: Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor
I think this is beautiful and I love all the colors that were used.
Illustration of the Day: Tim Drake and Damian Wayne
Illustration: Batman issue #657
Damian just started off bad with Tim who at least tried to be cordial to him. Although he doesn't say a word in this panel, Batman's presence speaks volumes to his disappointment that his sons already don't get along.
Book of Interest: City of Dark Magic
When I read the description at the store yesterday, I found it to be quite interesting however, I'm not sure if I want to buy it or not. I'm going to check with the library to see if it's available or I'll wait until it goes on sale to buy it. So, for now I will just add it as a BoI.
Book: City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
Book Description:
Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.
Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a four-hundred-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful U.S. senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Art of the Day: Roy and Lian Harper
Artwork: Roy and Lian by SweetSugarPill
This sketch is really cute and amazing.
Currently Reading: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Starting off the new year with a classic. I have always wanted to read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ever since I've seen the Disney animated movie version.
Book: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book #1) by Lewis Caroll
Description:
Journey with Alice down the rabbit hole into a world of wonder where oddities, logic and wordplay rule supreme. Encounter characters like the grinning Cheshire Cat who can vanish into thin air, the cryptic Mad Hatter who speaks in riddles and the harrowing Queen of Hearts obsessed with the phrase "Off with their heads!" This is a land where rules have no boundaries, eating mushrooms will make you grow or shrink, croquet is played with flamingos and hedgehogs, and exorbitant trials are held for the theft of tarts. Amidst these absurdities, Alice will have to find her own way home. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland began as a story told to three little girls in a rowboat, near Oxford.
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